Anyone with super curious asd kiddos?

Re: Anyone with super curious asd kiddos?

• Princess_Lily member

  July 2014

  Yes, but its controlled at this age. From 18mo-3yo, he was handsy and curious about electronics, cell phones, dvds, remote controllers and tvs.. His curiousity would wind up with sonething broken.
  
  Now, idk if its maturity or what but the handsy behavior is gone....and now he wants to help fix things!
  
  Of course I let him, with supervision of course.

   
  

    

   
  

  
  

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• bumpuser511563 member

  July 2014

  I know how you feel. I hate going to new places with DS. He ends up running around the new room and touching everything. The next time we have to be there gets better and better each visit and he just doesn't care about exploring.
  

  

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• kcisthebombdotcom member

  July 2014

  -auntie- said:

  I know lots of kids on spectrum who are super curious. One of them is upstairs right now.

  
  

  In the olden days, curiosity level was one of the factors considered when parsing between Aspergers and HFA.

  
  

  From the DSM-IV:

  
  

  (V) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
  

  
  

  IME, parents whose children required robust babyproofing came away with an Aspergers dx and those who didn't got HFA assuming all other conditions like age appropriate language and adaptive skills were present. Often these are kids who have ADHD (impulsive) as well.

  
  

  DS was and is very curious about certain things. One of his quirks from an early age was a compelling need to know what was "behind the curtain". He was drawn to places that were behind the scenes or off-limits to the public. Buildings were always a big draw for him- in school that meant he knew where the janitor's office, mechanicals closet and roof access were because he'd been in them. He was telling a couple of guys he graduated with about the greenhouse and telescope on the roof of the high school- they didn't know they existed so he took them on a tour. He and DH sometimes go on MIT Club outings, many of which are a sort of supervised trespassing- the Amtrak shops? He's been to both east coast locations, Bear twice. One of the best perks of his job is having an excuse to visit the engine house at work, the other is hopping a ride in the cab.

  
  

  This was always something of a concern for me. And not just because of that time I found him on the roof of the gym during a scout meeting in a storm playing Jack from Titanic. We addressed it with clearly stated expectations and a verbal contract that he'd agree to. Most of the time that was enough. I know other parents who used a Social Story about what behavior is expected before going into a situation. 

  
  

  The thing is, this requires you to anticipate where this behavior is likely to be an issue and address it proactively before you step into the situation. Now that you've had this happen at the salon, you might anticipate handsy action at the pedi's office, the vet, etc. You'll want to phrase your expectations positively "all the hair supplies belong to the lady for her to use; you'll sit quietly and play with your doll while the lady cuts your hair" rather than "don't this, don't that". The great thing about this approach is that over time, you can build on the skill and globalize it to another setting as in "you know how it's a rule not to touch the lady's work tools? It's the same at the vet's office".

  
  

  Redirection can sometimes work, especially if you redirect to an equal item. My old stylist always let DS hold her powder brush when DS was little, or a couple of alligator clips. It was enough to engage him. DH's brother gave DS a couple pieces of real medical equipment- having his own stethoscope, otoscope and blood pressure cuff made them less exciting when in the exam room.

  
  I went over the rules in the car and was met with an immediate no as she plots against me. Ha. I brought her toys to do her dolls hair and attempted to redirect her to them but no dice. Dd has always been an incredibly curious child but behavior like this is kind of new for her. Before the bright lights would be some sensory overload and she'd sit in my lap for comfort so it was fairly easy. It seems like those kinds of sensory issues are beginning to wane along with a big increase in energy levels and terrible 2s type defiance so it's like a perfect storm of unwanted behavior I just can't seem to curb. Sigh. Good to hear it does improve with age though.

  

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• kcisthebombdotcom member

  July 2014

  -auntie- said:

  kcisthebombdotcom said:

  
  I went over the rules in the car and was met with an immediate no as she plots against me.

  
  

  Did you state them positively or give her a laundry list of stuff she couldn't do? When I was rushed, sometimes I did the latter with a less than stellar result. Plus, she's still awfully little- maybe the format of a Social Story would be better.

  
  

  Ha. I brought her toys to do her dolls hair and attempted to redirect her to them but no dice.

  
  

  That wouldn't have flown for me either. DS could only be directed to authentic adult "toys". OMG that sounds dirty. I mean, he was cool if he had the real thing- a toy doctor's kit would have not worked.

  
  

   Dd has always been an incredibly curious child but behavior like this is kind of new for her. Before the bright lights would be some sensory overload and she'd sit in my lap for comfort so it was fairly easy. It seems like those kinds of sensory issues are beginning to wane along with a big increase in energy levels and terrible 2s type defiance so it's like a perfect storm of unwanted behavior I just can't seem to curb. Sigh. Good to hear it does improve with age though.

  
  

  Some of this is delayed self regulation skills- she's 3 1/2- she's living in the moment. If it continues or worsens, you may want to consider ADHD and look into behavior mods appropriate to self regulation.

  
  

  There's a plus side to it. A kid who is bright and truly curious is a kid who will be a lifelong learner and perhaps academically self motivated and self directed to some degree.

  
  

  
  She generally does well with the kid versions minus always having to steal the doctors stethoscope. I will definitely try bringing real combs next time. I have ADHD and I will die of shock if she doesn't.

  

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